Adnan Januzaj could reject the chance to play for Belgium at next summer’s
World Cup with the Manchester United youngster considering pledging his
allegiance to Albania.

Despite repeated efforts by the Belgian Football Association to select Januzaj for under-age teams, the winger has so far refused to accept the call-ups due to his determination to take time before declaring his international intentions.

Januzaj’s representatives have made it clear to the Belgians that the 18-year-old is not ready to commit to an international team, but it understood that his friends and family are urging him to select Albania.

Januzaj, who made his Premier League debut for Manchester United against Crystal Palace last Saturday, is eligible to represent four countries having been born in Belgium to Kosovar-Albanian parents. His heritage also enables him to play for Serbia and Turkey.

With Fifa still to recognise Kosovo and hand the nation full competitive status, Januzaj is unable to play for the country of his parents.

Kosovo can only play friendly fixtures, but the country has a group of high profile eligible-players, led by Lazio midfielder Lorik Cana, who represents Albania, and Bayern Munich’s Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri who have canvassed Fifa to grant recognition to the Balkan state.

While United are relaxed about Januzaj’s international choices, the player now faces a dilemma as to whether to accept the chance to play for Belgium at Brazil 2014 or risk missing out on playing at a major tournament by choosing Albania.